"I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the music, the food and the drink, and the whole atmosphere of the festival."
A special stage will be set up in Hastings St near St John's Cathedral where the entertainers will roll out their music through until around 6pm.
Accordingly, Hastings St between Browning St and Tennyson St will be closed to traffic from 8am through until 7pm, and while there would be limited access to vehicles belonging to residents and businesses no on-street parking would be available within the closed section.
Mr George said the festival was a showcase of fine and diverse local talent.
"From choral to Celtic, blues to soul and folk to rock," he said, adding that the festival site had Napier Hill as a picturesque and sheltering backdrop, and the area was well spread with cafes, restaurants, art galleries and speciality shops.
The static displays and buskers would keep the entertainment rolling between the changeovers of performers and bands.
"It will all support a fantastic afternoon out and this is a must visit Napier event."
On the weather front it looks just fine, with mainly sunshine with some cloud and a potential high of 25C.
LINE-UP
11.30am: Formal opening with Napier Mayor Bill Dalton and Napier MP Stuart Nash, Patron of Destination Napier
11.45am: St John's Cathedral Choir - choral music
Noon: Ash and Annabelle - a young duo with country flair
12.30pm: Eilidh Rose - an acclaimed soloist recently returned from overseas
1pm: Danica Bryant - winner best original song at Smokefree rock quest 2016
1.30pm: Qreck - includes members of Quick Fix, who were smoke free rock quest finalists
2pm: Corban Bros - blues
2.30pm: Neil Marriot - solo piper and international performer who creates bagpipes with rock
2.45pm: Bold Receivers - exceptional eight-piece Irish band - Celtic classics including the Pogues
3.30pm: Neil Marriot - solo piper
3.45pm: Power - acclaimed original soul band with brass section.
4.30pm: Naked Gun - the region's popular great covers band
5.30pm: Bus Crash - modern pop
6pm: Finish